For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31783 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Order Code RL31783 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Bankruptcy Reform in the 108th Congress Updated January 29, 2004 Angie A. Welborn Legislative Attorney American Law Division Congressional Research Service ~ The Library of Congress Bankruptcy Reform in the 108th Congress Summary On March 19, 2003, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 975, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003. H.R. 975, as introduced, was substantially similar to the legislation (H.R. 333) approved by both the House and the Senate during the 107th Congress, but omitted the Schumer Amendment which would have prevented the discharge of liability for wilful violation of protective orders and violent protests against providers of "lawful services," including reproductive health services. As passed by the House, H.R. 975 was amended to add sections to, among other things, increase the cap on wage and employee benefit claims. The Senate did not consider H.R. 975 during the first session of the 108th Congress. On November 25, 2003, the Senate passed S. 1920, providing for a six-month extension of Chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Code. The House took up S. 1920 on January 28, 2004, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 975 as passed by the House on March 19, 2003. S. 1920, as amended, was passed by the House and conferees appointed to resolve differences with the Senate. S. 1920, as passed by the House, addresses many areas of bankruptcy practice, including consumer filings, small business bankruptcy, tax bankruptcy, ancillary and cross-border cases, financial contract provisions, amendments to chapter 12 governing family farmer reorganization, and health care and employee benefits. This report provides an overview of selected major provisions of the legislation. It will be updated as events warrant. Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Overview of Selected Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Means Test, 11 U.S.C. § § 704, 707 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Additional Consumer Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Nondischargeable Consumer Debts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Consumer Credit Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Business Bankruptcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 General Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Bankruptcy Reform in the 108th Congress Introduction On February 27, 2003, House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 975, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2003. Subcommittee hearings were held on March 4, and the legislation was marked-up and ordered to be reported with technical amendments by the full committee on March 12.1 On March 19, 2003, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 975 by a vote of 315 - 113. As introduced, the bill was substantially similar to the legislation (H.R. 333) approved by both the House and the Senate during the 107th Congress, but omitted the "Schumer Amendment" which would have prevented the discharge of liability for wilful violation of protective orders and violent protests against providers of "lawful services," including reproductive health services. Several amendments were offered pursuant to the rule submitted by the House Rules Committee and agreed to prior to the debate.2 Three amendments were approved, including one to increase the cap on wage and employee benefit claims against a corporation that has filed for bankruptcy.3 An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representatives Nadler and Conyers did not pass.4 Following passage by the House, the Senate did not consider H.R. 975 during the first session of the 108th Congress. However, the Senate did pass S. 1920, providing for a six-month extension of Chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Code, on November 25, 2003.5 The bill was passed by the Senate without amendment. On January 28, 2004, the House took up S. 1920 with an amendment in the nature of a 1 H.Rept. 108-40, 108th Cong., 1st Session (2003). 2 H.Res. 147, 108th Cong, 1st Session (2003). 3 H.Amdt. 8, 149 Cong. Rec. H2051-H2053 (daily ed. March 19, 2003). Other approved amendments make section 1234 of the bill (related to involuntary cases) applicable to cases currently pending in the bankruptcy courts (H.Amdt. 10, 149 Cong. Rec. H2055 (daily ed. March 19, 2003)); and redraft Title IX, entitled Financial Contract Provisions, to make certain provisions applicable to both bank and credit union federal regulators (H.Amdt. 7, 149 Cong. Rec. H2046-H2051 (daily ed. March 13, 2003)). 4 H.Amdt. 11, 149 Cong. Rec. H2055-H2095, H2096-H2097 (daily ed. March 19, 2003). An amendment to require corporations to file bankruptcy cases in the district court of the district in which the corporation's principal place of business is located also failed (H.Amdt. 9, 149 Cong. Rec. H2053-H2055, H2095-H2096 (daily ed. March 13, 2003)). 5 149 Cong. Rec. S16063 (daily ed. November 25, 2003). For more information on Chapter 12, see CRS Report RS20742, Chapter 12 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code: Family Farmer Reorganization, by Robin Jeweler. CRS-2 substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 975 as passed by the House on March 19, 2003.6 The House passed S. 1920, as amended, by a vote of 265 - 99, and appointed conferees to resolve differences with the Senate-passed version of S. 1920.7 Overview of Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, addresses many areas of bankruptcy practice, including consumer filings, small business bankruptcy, tax bankruptcy, ancillary and cross-border cases, financial contract provisions, amendments to chapter 12 governing family farmer reorganization, and health care and employee benefits. Certain provisions of the current legislation have received significant attention in the 108th Congress. The House-approved amendment providing for an increase to the cap on wage and employee benefit claims was offered in response to the increased number of high-profile corporate bankruptcies last year. These bankruptcies often left employees with little or no severance, and greatly reduced or eliminated any health insurance benefits they may have been entitled to. The amendment would raise the existing cap of $4,650 to $10,000, giving employees a priority claim for up to that amount as compensation for services rendered prior to the bankruptcy. Another provision that has received increased attention is section 414 of S. 1920, which would amend the definition of a disinterested person under the Bankruptcy Code. Section 414 would eliminate "investment banker" from the current list of those unable to be identified as a disinterested person. The new definition would define "disinterested person" as a person that ­ (A) is not a creditor, an equity security holder, or an insider; (B) is not and was not within 2 years before the date of the filing of the petition, a director, officer, or employee of the debtor; and (C) does not have an interest materially adverse to the interest of the estate or of any class or creditors or equity security holders, by reason of any direct or indirect relationship to, connection with, or interest in, the debtor, or for any other reason. By eliminating investment bankers from the list of persons who cannot be considered disinterested, such persons would be able to perform securities work for the debtor during the debtor's bankruptcy. This change has not been a focus of the debate thus far in the 108th Congress, but the provision has received some criticism in the media.8 The following chart provides an overview of selected major provisions of S. 1920, as passed by the House, including provisions related to consumer bankruptcy, consumer credit disclosure, and business bankruptcy, as well as other general provisions. 6 H.Res. 503, 108th Cong., 2nd Session. The only amendments made to the text of H.R. 975, as an amendment in the nature of a substitute to S. 1920, were technical changes. See H.Amdt. 457, 150 Cong. Rec. H219 (daily ed. January 28, 2004). 7 Roll Call No. 10, 150 Cong. Rec. H219 - H222 (daily ed. January 28, 2004). 8 See e.g., "Bankruptcy Reform ... with a Thorn," by Michael I. Krauss, Washington Times, April 25, 2003. CRS-3 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Means Test, 11 U.S.C. § § 704, 707 Implementation Would amend 11 U.S.C. § 707 to permit creditors, the trustee, or any party in interest to challenge a debtor's eligibility to file under chapter 7. If indicated, the U.S. trustee must file a statement that the debtor's case is a presumed abuse of chapter 7. § 102. Definition of "current Excludes Social Security benefits; payments to victims of monthly income" war crimes or crimes against humanity; and payments to victims of international terrorism . § 102. Presumed abuse Debtor presumed to be abusing chapter 7 if current monthly income, excluding allowed deductions, secured debt payments, and priority unsecured debt payments, multiplied by 60, would permit a debtor to pay not less than the lesser of (a) 25% of nonpriority unsecured debt or $6,000 (or $100 a month), whichever is greater, or (b) $10,000. In addition to the means test, the court may find that the debtor's filing was in bad faith or that the totality of the circumstances demonstrates abuse. § 102. CRS-4 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Calculation of permissible Expenses to be calculated as specified under the National monthly living expenses Standards and Local Standards, and the debtor's actual monthly expenses for the categories specified as Other Necessary Expenses issued by the Internal Revenue Service for the area in which the debtor resides. A debtor may also subtract, if reasonably necessary, an allowance of up to 5% of the IRS food and clothing categories. Individualized expenses may include debts incurred to protect the debtor's family from domestic violence; actual expenses for the care and support of nondependent, elderly, ill or disabled household or family members; private or public school tuition of up to $1,500 per year; administrative expenses for chapter 13 candidates; average monthly expenses for secured and priority debts; actual expenses for housing and utilities, if reasonably necessary; and, charitable contributions of up to 15% of gross income.9 Dollar amounts will be adjusted at three-year intervals in accordance with the Consumer Price Index. § 102. To rebut the presumption A debtor must demonstrate and justify "special of abuse circumstances" in order to adjust current monthly income determination. § 102. Safe harbor exemption Only the judge, U.S. trustee or bankruptcy administrator from the means test may bring a substantial abuse motion if the debtor's current monthly income is less than the highest national or the applicable State median family income. No party may make a motion to convert the debtor to chapter 13 if the debtor (and spouse combined) have a monthly income equal to or less than the state median household income reported by the Bureau of the Census. The U.S. trustee may also decline to file a motion to convert if the debtor's monthly income is between 100% and 150% of the national or applicable State median income, and would permit a debtor to pay the lesser of (a) 25% of nonpriority unsecured debt or $6,000, whichever is greater, or (b) $10,000. § 102. 9 Charitable contributions are permissible under current law, 11 U.S.C. § 707(b), and would not be altered by the bill. CRS-5 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) IRS Living Standards A chapter 13 debtor's "disposable income" which may be applicable to chapter 13 directed to the repayment plan will be calculated in reorganization plan accordance with IRS Living Standards if the debtor meets the applicable means test for state median family income. A chapter 13 debtor may deduct from plan payments the costs of health insurance; domestic support obligations; charitable contributions of up to 15% of gross income; and expenses necessary to operate a business. § 102. Attorney sanctions for If a panel trustee brings a successful motion for dismissal improper motion or conversion, counsel for the debtor may be liable to reimburse the trustee for costs, attorneys' fees, and payment of a civil penalty if the court finds a violation of Bankruptcy Rule 9011. An attorney's signature on the bankruptcy petition certifies that the attorney has performed an investigation into the circumstances that gave rise to the petition; that the attorney has determined that the petition is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law; and that the attorney has no knowledge after an inquiry that the information in accompanying schedules is incorrect. § 102. Creditor sanctions for an The court may award the debtor costs for contesting an improper motion unsuccessful motion to convert if the court finds that the motion violated Rule 9011, or was intended to coerce the debtor into waiving rights under the Bankruptcy Code. A creditor whose claim is less than $1000 is not liable for sanctions. § 102 Dismissal of filings by A crime victim or party in interest may request dismissal persons convicted of of the voluntary bankruptcy case of the convicted violent crimes or drug debtor. The court must grant the dismissal unless the trafficking filing is necessary to satisfy a domestic support obligation. § 102 CRS-6 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Additional Consumer Provisions Mandatory credit Debtor must undergo credit counseling within 180 days of counseling filing, and may not obtain a discharge until completion of a personal financial management instructional course. The jurisdictional filing requirement may be waived for 30 to 45 days if the debtor certifies exigent circumstances or was denied service from an approved counseling agency. The U.S. trustee or bankruptcy administrator for the judicial district is directed to oversee and approve nonprofit budget and credit counseling agencies. § 106 Promotion of alternative A creditor's allowable claim may be reduced by 20% if a dispute resolution court finds that the creditor "unreasonably refused to negotiate a reasonable alternative repayment schedule proposed by an approved credit counseling agency that provides repayment of at least 60% of the debt, and the debtor can prove by "clear and convincing" evidence that a creditor unreasonably refused to consider the offer." § 201. Reaffirmation agreements Imposes enhanced requirements for approval of a reaffirmation agreement when the debtor is not represented by counsel but exempts credit unions from creditor disclosure requirements; requires U.S. Attorney and FBI to investigate abusive reaffirmation practices. § 203. Preserving defenses Amends 11 U.S.C. § 363 to add a new subsection against predatory lenders preserving defenses that a party to a consumer credit transaction may have if the contract is sold by a debtor in bankruptcy. § 204. GAO reaffirmation study Requires a study of reaffirmation practices and a report to Congress. § 205 Domestic support owed to Would move domestic support obligations to first priority, individuals and which is currently allocated to administrative expenses of government units made the bankruptcy estate. Administrative expenses would first priority become second priority. However, if a trustee is appointed under chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13, the trustee's expenses may be paid before domestic support. § 212. Trustee notification of Would direct the trustee to notify a priority child support child support claim recipient of the existence of a state child support holders enforcement agency, and, upon discharge, the existence of nondischargeable and reaffirmed debt. § 219. CRS-7 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Priority assigned to claims A new § 507 tenth priority is created for unsecured claims for liability incurred by for liability incurred by a debtor from operating a vessel the debtor DUI while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Claims of this nature are also nondischargeable. § 223. Retirement savings Would clarify and expand the law to provide that exemption broadened retirement accounts that are tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code are exempted from the debtor's estate up to a $1,000,000 cap, which may be increased if "the interests of justice so require." § 224 Exemption for saving for Subject to certain IRS requirements, excludes funds up to postsecondary education $5000 per specified beneficiary made within a year of filing in an education individual retirement account and/or any funds used to purchase a tuition credit or certificate under a qualified state tuition program. §225 Protection of nonpublic Prohibits the transfer by the debtor of personal customer personal information and information unless approved by the court. Provides for the consumer privacy appointment of a consumer privacy ombudsman if a debtor ombudsman wishes to sell or lease such information. §§ 231,232. Prohibition on disclosure Debtor may not be required to disclose the name of a of identify of minor minor child in public records. U.S. trustee or auditor may children have access to nonpublic records maintained by the court. § 233. Lien stripping on security Chapter 13 debtors would not be permitted to bifurcate interests in consumer security interests in an automobile purchased within 910 goods (cramdown) days (2½ years) before the filing; or in other consumer goods purchased within 1 year of the filing. § 306. CRS-8 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Homestead exemption Definition of "debtor's residence" includes mobile homes or trailers. § 306. Imposes lengthened residency requirements to qualify for state exemption. § 307. Reduces the value of the exemption if the value is attributable to property that the debtor disposed of within 10 years of bankruptcy with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud a creditor. § 308. Debtors' electing a state homestead exemption may not exempt any interest acquired within 1215 days (3.3 years) of filing which exceeds in the aggregate $125,000, unless the value in excess of that amount occurs from a transfer of residences within the same state. Exempts family farmers from the limit. Limitations may not apply to amounts reasonably necessary to support the debtor and any dependents. Imposes a firm $125,000 cap on individuals who are convicted of specified felonies (including violations of federal securities laws) or who commits criminal acts, intentional torts, or willful or reckless misconduct that caused serious physical injury or death within 5 years preceding the bankruptcy filing. § 322. Residential lease excepted Adds new provisions permitting a landlord/lessor to from the automatic stay bypass the automatic stay to continue with a residential eviction of a tenant/lessee. § 311 Restrictions on chapter 7 Extends time within which a debtor who has received a and chapter 13 filings. chapter 7 discharge may not receive another from 6 to 8 years. Amends chapter 13 to disallow discharge if the debtor filed under chapters 7, 11, or 12 within 4 years prior to the 13 filing, or under chapter 13, within 2 years of the subsequent filing. § 312. Definition of "household Defines household goods to include clothing, furniture, goods" appliances, 1 radio, 1 television, 1 VCR, other electronic entertainment equipment with a market value of under $500, linens, china, crockery, kitchenware, educational materials used by minor dependent children, medical equipment and supplies, furniture used exclusively by minors and disabled or elderly dependents, personal effects, 1 personal computer and antiques and jewelry with a value less than $500. § 313. CRS-9 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Debtor's duty to disclose Modifies debtor filing requirements under 11 U.S.C. § 521 tax filings. to include federal tax returns. § 315. Plan duration Chapter 13 plans to have 5 year duration for families whose monthly income is not less than the highest state median family income. Families below the highest state median income would have 3 year plans. § 318. Wages withheld by an Withheld wages for contributions to employee benefit employer for contributions plans would be excluded from the debtor (employer's) to employee benefit plans estate. § 323. Valuation of collateral A secured creditor's allowable claim would be the retail cost to replace the item without deduction for costs of sale or marketing. Personal property's replacement value would be the price a retail merchant would charge for like items. § 327. Wages and benefits Makes specified prepetition and postpetition wages and awarded as back pay benefits awarded as back pay a high-priority administrative expense. § 329. Audits The Attorney General is directed to establish a procedure to ensure random audits of no less than 1 out of every 250 individual filings; the U.S. trustee is authorized to enter into contracts with auditors, and to take action when misstatements in the debtor's petition and schedules are identified. § 603. Nondischargeable Consumer Debts Debts to government units Defines "domestic support obligation" to include debts for domestic support owed to or recoverable by a governmental unit. §§ 211, 215. Expanded definition of Adds qualified educational loans as defined under § 221 of student loan the IRC to those educational loans that are currently nondischargeable. § 220. Loan repayments to Makes nondischargeable, i.e., allows an employer to debtor's retirement continue to withhold loan repayments to debtor's savings or thrift plan savings/retirement plan from debtor's wages. § 224(c). Consumer debts presumed Consumer debts owed to a single creditor for more than fraudulent $550 for "luxury goods" incurred within 90 days of filing; and cash advances for more than $750 under an open end credit plan within 70 days of filing are presumed to be nondischargeable. § 310 Debts incurred to pay Debts incurred to a third party to pay a tax to a state or nondischargeable debts local government unit become nondischargeable. § 314. are nondischargeable CRS-10 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Expanded definition of Expands the types of post-petition condo and homeowners nondischargeable association fees that are nondischargeable by omitting condominium and requirement that in order to be nondischargeable the homeowners association debtor must reside in the residence postpetition. § 412. fees FEC penalties Fines and penalties under federal election law are made nondischargeable nondischargeable. § 1235. Consumer Credit Disclosure Amendments to the Truth TILA amended to require enhanced minimum payment in Lending Act disclosures under an open end credit plan; enhanced disclosures regarding the tax deductibility of credit extensions which exceed the fair market value of a dwelling for credit transactions secured by the consumer's dwelling; disclosures related to introductory "teaser" rates; disclosures related to Internet-based open end credit solicitations; and disclosures related to late payment deadlines and penalties. TILA would be amended to prohibit termination of a credit account because the consumer has not incurred finance charges. §§ 1301-1306. Study of bankruptcy Comptroller General directed to study bankruptcy impact impact of credit extended of credit extensions to students in postsecondary school. to dependent students § 1308 Consumer credit studies The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve would be directed to study existing protections for consumers for unauthorized use of a dual use debit card. § 1307 CRS-11 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Business Bankruptcy Avoidable preferences Amends 11 U.S.C. § 547 to liberalize the rules for defending against an avoidable transfer in the ordinary course of business; creates a new preference exception to aggregate transfers of less than $5,000. § 409. Definition of disinterested Amends 11 U.S.C. § 101(14) to eliminate investment person banker from the list of excluded persons. Small business bankruptcy Subtitle B of Title IV has provisions defining a "small business" for chapter 11 purposes as one with debts under $2,000,000. The debtor's period of exclusivity to file a reorganization plan is 180 days. A plan and disclosure statement must be filed within 300 days of the initial filing. A plan must be confirmed within 45 days of filing in bankruptcy. § 438 Provisions require establishment of uniform accounting and reporting standards for small businesses. Grounds for appointment of a trustee and the trustee's general supervisory duties are expanded, as are grounds for dismissal or conversion of the case. §§ 431-442. Trustee to appoint retiree Amends 11 U.S.C. § 1114 to provide that in the event that committees a retiree committee is appointed, the appointment of members will be made by the U.S. Trustee, not the court. § 447. Chapter 11 corporate Confirmation of a plan under chapter 11 would not nondischargeability discharge a corporate debtor from debts under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2) that are owed to a domestic governmental unit for property obtained by false pretenses or representations; or owed to an individual under subchapter III of chapter 37 of Title 31, U.S.C.; or any debt for taxes for which the debtor willfully attempted to evade or made a fraudulent return. § 708. Wage and employee Cap on wage and employee benefit claims increased from benefit claims $4,650 to $10,000 and lengthens reachback period for wage claims from 90 days to 180 days; and increases the reachback period during which fraudulent transfers can be rescinded from one to two years and provides that certain compensation payments to a corporation's insiders during this two-year reachback period can be rescinded, under certain circumstances; also requires the court to reinstate retiree benefits that a corporate debtor modified within the 180-day period preceding the bankruptcy filing, unless the balance of the equities justified the modification. §§ 1501- 1503. CRS-12 Selected Provisions S. 1920, as passed by the House, 108th Congress, 2nd Session (2004) Title X dealing with Makes chapter 12 permanent, retroactive to the date on chapter 12 family farmers which chapter 12 was last in effect. Includes jurisdictional debt limit in amount subject to readjustment in accordance with CPI; subordinates certain high priority unsecured claims owed to the government to nonpriority claims. Measure to take effect upon enactment, but will not apply to pending cases. §§ 1001-1003. Raises jurisdictional debt limit of family farmers to $3,000,000 and lowers percentage requirement of income derived from farming and expands the time frame for measuring farm income from one to three years. §§ 1004, 1005. Prohibits retroactive assessment of disposable income. § 1006 Amends chapter 12 to include "family fishermen." § 1007. General Provisions In forma pauperis filings Directs the Judicial Conference to prescribe procedures for waiving bankruptcy fees for an individual debtor under chapter 7 whose income is less than 150% of the official poverty line and who is unable to pay the fee in installments. § 418. Bankruptcy judgeships Creates new temporary bankruptcy judgeships for designated districts. § 1223. Procedure to certify Establishes procedures to permit direct appeals from a appeals from a bankruptcy bankruptcy court to a court of appeals if the decision court to a court of involves a substantial question of law; a question requiring appeals resolution of conflicting decisions; or, a matter of public importance. §1233. Involuntary Bankruptcy Makes technical corrections made to 11 U.S.C. § 303 dealing with involuntary bankruptcy. Measure applies upon enactment, and to cases currently pending. § 1234. General effective date Subject to express provisions otherwise, the new law will take effect 180 days after enactment and will not apply to cases commenced before the effective date. § 1501. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31783